Miroku went back early to the room that night. He quietly shut the screen door behind him, and made his way upstairs to the boys' quarters. He sat on Inuyasha's bed, since he wasn't around to yell at him for doing it. He moved Shippo's toys aside and took a seat, and fidgeted with his hands for quite some time. He sighed loudly, and laid down so his head was at the foot of the bed. He stared up at the wooden ceiling, wishing Kuranosuke had never invited them inside his castle. But after awhile, he began to realize that if Kuranosuke hadn't bothered to invite them, they would be stranded outside with very low food and supplies. Miroku imagined Inuyasha going crazy after two days, and nearly killing them all. The idea brought a smile to Miroku's face, and it saddened him to think of how long it had been since he had smiled.

Then, another thought came to him. Another ten minutes or so passed, and Miroku began to think of his old friend Hachi, and his foster father Mushin. He missed them terribly, what with being on the hunt for Naraku. Since Kuranosuke ticked him off completely, he could ask for permission to visit his family and friends. He was sure that Inuyasha and the others wouldn't mind too much, considering they thought of his happiness, too.
He leapt up from the bed and began to pack his own belongings. Not a whole lot, just enough to see Mushin and back. Miroku folded away some extra clothes, and right when he was about to pack his shoes he thought of Sango. He thought of her gentle laugh, her rich dark hair, her soft brown eyes.
Miroku shook his head. He had to get away, at least for a few days. He must see Mushin, and take his mind off Kuranosuke and his annoying attempts to make Sango his bride. "I won't have it," he whispered to himself, and slung his bag over his shoulder as the others returned.

Kagome yawned, carrying a sleeping Shippo in her arms. "That was really nice of Kuranosuke to invite us for dinner a second time. I think Shippo had too much food...I'm kinda sleepy, too. I think I'm going to-" At that moment, Miroku came downstairs. Kagome nearly dropped Shippo at the surprise of seeing him. Shippo awoke, shaking his head with exhaustion and confusion.
"Miroku! I thought you were still down the hall! Geez, don't scare us like that..." Kagome let out a playful laugh and tapped his arm. "Hey, what's with the expression? Why are you carrying a bag?" Miroku lowered his head for a moment, thinking of what to say. "I'm...leaving." Kagome's jaw dropped in surprise and disbelief, and Inuyasha stepped in front of her quickly.
"You can't," he began, but Miroku gently pushed him out of the way. "It's too dangerous, Miroku. You had too much to drink. Just put your stuff down, go upstairs, and get some sleep. Trust me, you'll forget all about this nonsense and feel better in the morning."

Miroku shook his head. "No. I'm leaving, but only temporarily. I'll be back in about four or five days. I need some time with Hachi and Mushin. They can...help take my mind off things." And with that, Miroku raised his hand to wave goodbye, and slowly walked toward the door. Sango, who had been silent since Miroku appeared, turned around. As Miroku took one last glance at her, Sango forced herself not to cry.
"Take Kirara," she said, but it came out as a whisper. Miroku raised his hand to show he understood, and slung his bag over his shoulder again as he went out the door. Sango wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and made no move to stop Miroku as he disappeared.
"He'll be back," Inuyasha exclaimed quietly, seeing Sango's expression. "He'll be back. There's never been dishonesty in that monk's voice, not even for a second."

White, puffy clouds hovered overhead as Miroku rode on Kirara's back. The large cat demon roared, and flew low enough for Miroku to see the ground. Streams and plenty of trees were below, but no sign of Mushin's temple or his training waterfall. "Keep going, Kirara," Miroku said, trying not to sound depressed. "I imagine we'll be there soon." Kirara roared once more, and the flames from her feet flared out as the feline lowered itself a bit more. Miroku raised a hand to his eyes, shielding them from the sunlight that peeked through the clouds. "There, Kirara! We're finally here."

Kirara made her way to the ground, and gracefully landed on a patch of grass about a yard from Mushin's land. Miroku patted her head, his eyes lowered to the ground. "Thank you, Kirara. I am in your debt. Please, don't let the others worry about me too much." Kirara gave one last roar, a friendly one, and nuzzled Miroku's hand before departing back into the sky. Miroku waved, and took a deep breath as he approached the home of his foster father.

"Mushin!" he called from a few feet away. "Mushin, come out! It's me, Miroku! You'd better not be drunk again, old man!" Hachi, the raccoon/badger demon, peeked through a dusty window.
"Master Miroku! Master Miroku! You've returned!" he called, running headlong towards his friend. Miroku gave Hachi a friendly hug, and they looked each other over as old Mushin made his cumbersome way out of the just-as-old temple. Mushin was a short man, old and bald-headed with a whitish-gray mustache and a red nose. He was often a drunk, and raised Miroku since his father's death from the dreaded Wind Tunnel curse.

"Ah, Miroku, you've grown quite a bit. You've grown a foot last time I saw you!" Miroku hastily walked toward Mushin, and embraced him fiercely. Mushin chuckled and returned the hug with warmth.
"I was afraid you'd forget all about Hachi and me, and that you'd never return to these old mountains," Mushin said in his deep, warm voice. Miroku threw his head back and laughed, happy to be away from the uppity-uppity men and women from Kuranosuke's castle. It was so hard to laugh with those kind of people around, scoffing at him from underneath their garden hats and royal garments.

"It's such a relief to see you again," Miroku said, and Hachi jumped up and down as Mushin led him to the house. "I've been through some...situations on the way here." Miroku removed his shoes and stepped into the rich, friendly warmth of Mushin's house. He remembered the old, ashen fireplace from his childhood, and the sweet smells of fresh paper from Mushin's temple scrolls. Hachi and Mushin settled themselves on firm cotton cushions, and Mushin patted the one beside him. Miroku let himself take a seat, and Mushin passed around a bottle of sake.
"Begin at the start, and don't leave out a thing," the old man murmured, leaning back against the rough bolster. Hachi rubbed his nose, occasionally exclaiming at parts of Miroku's story. "Tell us, what did you see at Ooyama?" Hachi asked curiously. Miroku told them about Kaede's village, the sandstorm, the promise, Ooyama village, Kuranosuke, and the things he had done to persuade Sango to share his love. Mushin's eyes grew wide at the bracelet and dinner parties, and nodded at the part with the puppy and Miroku's jealous behavior. When Miroku was through, he was red-faced and all out of breath. Mushin laughed, and Miroku gave in and laughed at himself.

"Well, my boy, it looks like you're in love. This Sango woman...I've seen her before, when I was possessed by a demon. She was there, and she helped you rescue me. I remember...she was just as lovely as you described she was." Miroku nodded, a hot twinge of embarrassment throbbing in his chest again.
"What am I supposed to do, Mushin? Kuranosuke wants Sango to marry him...but why does he not come out and ask? He's plotting something, I know it! Not in an evil way, of course...but he's still planning something! I think it has something to do with me."

Mushin raised a gnarled finger to his chin, thinking a moment. "Hachi. Bring Miroku some tea. I believe it will make him feel a bit better." Hachi went to fetch the tea immediately, and handed a cup over to Miroku. Miroku bowed his head in thanks, and the tea truly was a comfort. He smiled down at the cup, feeling the warmth of family return to his heart, which was still filled with secret jealousy.
"Well, Miroku, I think the situation is this," Mushin began, and Miroku leaned close to listen to the old man. "This Kuranosuke fellow wants to marry Sango, correct? The woman you love?" Miroku's face went red with embarrassment, and he nearly dropped the tea in surprise.

"Well, I don't know about that...uh..." Miroku began, and Mushin started to laugh.
"You don't love her?" Mushin asked, resting his chin on his hands. "I thought you did. That is what your face suggests." Miroku blushed a deeper red, and turned his head away when Mushin laughed again.
"It's all right, my boy. Everyone falls in love eventually...even me. But, ah, that was a long time ago...now, you seem to be jealous and cautious of Kuranosuke's actions. You told us before that he gave her extraordinarily expensive gifts, gifts that only he can afford. But if you ask me, Miroku, the greatest gift a man can give to a woman is love. Remember that, boy, and Kuranosuke will only seem like a funny memory now. Now, you must find a way to show Sango you appreciate her."

Miroku rocked back and forth on his heels, his eyes waiting for Mushin's answer.
"But how, Mushin? How can I show her? How can I possibly compete with what Kuranosuke has already done?" Mushin reached for another bottle of sake, and rubbed his red nose.
"Well, Miroku, how do you think? You need to give Sango a gift of your own, something she'll remember for the rest of her years. You should know what that gift is by now." Miroku thought for a moment, and suddenly it all came to him in a rush. He wanted Sango to love him back, and the only way to do it was...

Mushin nodded, and a great weight lifted from Miroku's burning heart. "Yes, my boy," Mushin whispered, and Miroku felt a widening smile steal across his lips.
"Thank you, Mushin. If this plan succeeds, I will never forget this. Mushin, you have my deepest gratitude."